Pa. collar bomb defendant asks to leave courtroom

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — An Erie, Pa., woman on trial for her alleged role in a collar bomb-wearing bank robbery plot lashed out at her attorney because she was frustrated by the questions he was asking her and asked to leave the witness stand.

Instead, U.S. District Judge Sean McLaughlin called a short recess so 61-year-old Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong could regain her composure. But he also warned her that she could forfeit her right to keep testifying if her outbursts continue.

Less than two minutes after resuming her afternoon testimony, she said, “I hope this all wraps up pretty soon because I’m getting ready to leave. Can I leave the court, can I be excused?”

That’s when McLaughlin warned her: “You can waive your right to testify by being disruptive, but I don’t think you really want to do that.”